Episode 110: Dream in the game becomes reality

28. New Wind (2)

Unlike on Earth, hacking in this world requires magical knowledge, understanding of mana, and high math skills, so it can be said to be the domain of wizards, not the general public.

The career path chosen by many young wizards who cannot escape the circle is technical, and technical wizards are divided into the hardware branch, which creates artifacts or conducts research, and the software branch, which creates programs based on the Hollywood system.

Hackers can be said to be technological wizards of this software family, and their abilities are not much different from hackers on Earth.

It may infiltrate Hollywood-based social and communication networks, or it may infiltrate the back of virtual world operating sites and programs using goggles.

However, large-scale companies or national organizations have software-related technical wizards who are good at searching, so you have to be prepared to have your head blown off if you touch them incorrectly.

This world is dominated by feudal countries where classes exist.

As proof of this, in the Republic of Prius, when Count Acres and Lady Otis connected to the president's son's fake network, they were quickly tracked down, the Vanguard Knights were dispatched, and their heads were almost blown off.

Therefore, there were not many people who volunteered to become hackers in Rondel, as wizards have special characteristics and are too risky to approach simply for fun.

"Nice to meet you. "This is Adrian Lawrence."

"Roh, this is Locke Antique."

In that sense, the hacker I am currently meeting can be said to be a very valuable talent.

[Loke Antique / Software Technology Wizard (Circle 2)]Race: Human

Age: 23

Affiliation: 5th son of Count Antique, Reinharts Kingdom

Talents: Intellectual ability (highest), learning ability (high), exploration ability (high), magical power (low)

Characteristics: Excellent mathematical skills, programming, explorer of virtual worlds

Relationship: Borderline/Neutral

Status: Embarrassed / Fearful

His ability is beyond reproach when examined with a magnifying glass, and his ability has already been verified.

"You really knew His Excellency the Marquis Laurens?"

"then! Ahem!"

Count Roque Antique, who stutters uncharacteristically for an aristocrat with sky-high arrogance and self-esteem, and Countess Michelle Otis, who acts smug when she sees him like that.

Yes.

He was the collaborator of the incident in the Prius Republic where Lady Otis infiltrated a fake agency and copied part of the data.

Therefore, even though he is someone I have never seen before, I can evaluate him as someone with proven skills.

No matter how hastily he made it, he is a person who has infiltrated the system created by the pension manager Chester.

Locke was the second greatest hacker, at least as far as I know.

Of course, the first one is Chester, the pension manager.

"Sit."

The drawing room of the Marquis of Lawrence's castle.

There were me, Locke, and Lady Otis.

"Actually, we are planning to recruit a large number of technical wizards in the software sector this time. I also plan to create a hacker department within it. So I asked Lady Otis to introduce you."

"Ahem."

Lady Otis continues to act proud next to her.

As if he was familiar with her, Locke nodded with a very intimidated expression, which was not typical of a count's family.

For reference, virtual reality tends to be looked down on by nobles.

Since economic feasibility cannot be ignored, there is a tendency to dip one foot in the business field, but there is a fundamental perception that virtual reality is a refuge for incompetent people.

Therefore, there was no way the family would view him favorably as he spent a lot of time in the virtual world, and his position was bound to be unstable.

His timid personality was due to this environment.

"Do we really need a hacker unit? "First of all, it is illegal, and if you get caught wrongly, you can be criticized by the royal family and cause diplomatic friction."

"To begin with, I am not a person who will give in to diplomatic friction or the glare of the royal family. So, I really want to work with Roque Antique Youngsik."

Considering his precarious position in the family, my suggestion wasn't a bad one.

First of all, isn't the person who recognizes his value and extends his hand the new power in the kingdom?

If he works with me, the soon-to-be duke, his position within the family will rise vertically.

"It will definitely cause trouble."

"You can interfere. Because I hire hackers to protect what I own in the first place. "You will never attack someone without meaning to."

His timid personality is quite annoying.

But I was willing to go to great lengths to hire him.

"You need a hacker to protect you?"

"I believe the best defense is offense. "As I heard the news of hacking against virtual influencers, which I often hear these days, I thought there was a need to pay more attention to security."

So, while recruiting a large number of technical wizards in the software field, they also wanted to bring in hackers as well.

As we are already operating the Magic Tower, there are related departments, but since it is almost a formality, we plan to use this opportunity to make a large-scale overhaul.

'That's because I'm a human being with a lot of things to protect.'

Was my continued courtship burdensome?

"The best defense is offense? It's certainly not a bad approach... … ."

He rolled his eyes here and there, sweating profusely.

I wondered if I was going to fail like this... .

-Ahh!

"Ahh!"

Lady Otis said, slapping him on the back harshly.

"Shut up and do it! "Where can I find such glory!"

"Huh? OK got it."

Surprisingly, Locke followed her words very easily.

"Probably, no matter where I go, no one will offer the same conditions as me. "I will give you the best treatment in the Kingdom of Reinharts."

"i look forward to."

I don't know if it was because of Lady Otis's insistence, or because I decided to do it myself, but I ended up acquiring an excellent hacker.

"Well, by the way, the virtual influencer incident you mentioned earlier."

"yes."

"It may not be the work of hackers."

"What does that mean?"

"A hacker was excited by the news of the disappearance of his favorite virtual influencer and set out to investigate. Finally, he succeeded in finding the suspect's tail and tracking him down... ."

"So?"

"As a result of verification, the suspect was a program that operated on its own without a user controlling it. "As if it had a will."

It's kind of a strange story.

So I tilted my head.

"What is artificial intelligence?"

"It could be artificial intelligence, or it could be a virus. "There has been a rumor going around among hackers for a long time that, like a ghost story, a virus with an ego exists within the Hollywood system."

"So you reported it?"

"If I reported it, I stayed quiet because I felt like I would be accused of being a criminal for no reason. But the story doesn't end there."

"What is it? "I'm curious."

"Not long ago, the hacker was found brain dead and wearing goggles."

A story that could be used as a ghost story.

In the end, it was an unconfirmed rumor.

But I couldn't just ignore it.

The Hollywood system is a miracle itself.

If, even if just by chance, such a being existed and approached me, I couldn't help but be bothered.

I guess I'll have to ask Chester later.

"The story went astray. sorry."

"no. It was fun. Please take care of me in the future. "You can go to work right away starting tomorrow, right?"

Luke nodded to my request, and his recruitment ended in success.

"What about me?"

But Lady Otis suddenly pointed at herself and asked.

The response is that I have nothing else to do.

At that, I quietly blinked, then shook my head.

I didn't really need her.

Lady Otis' shoulders slumped at my reaction.

* * *

After suppressing the rebellion of the Second Prince faction, my work finally returned to its original state.

Playing games and watching Everil's contest.

We played the game again and watched Everil's competition.

The level went up one more level, reaching 243, and about a week later, with Ivril's final competition over, she returned to the territory.

"I'm glad you're safe. "You don't know how surprised I was to hear the news of a civil war in the Holy Land."

As soon as she saw me, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Everil is just a 15-year-old girl.

I don't know if it was because she received camera massages while competing repeatedly, or because she was just growing up, but her beauty seemed to be improving.

I smiled and relaxed at her worry.

"Now you know how great your sponsor is, right?"

She spoke as if protesting my remark.

"Besides the great thing, I lost concentration at times due to the constant incidents and accidents. "Do you know how anxious I was?"

For something like that, you're good at it.

She finished with excellent results and overwhelming viewership ratings until the last contest.

Now, all that remained was God's selection, which would take place in two weeks, and there was no doubt that she was the one closest to a saint even among her many rivals.

Feeling embarrassed, I cleared my throat and looked away from her.

"what is this?"

I handed her a paper bag.

She tilted her head as she accepted it, and I opened it and showed it to her.

"A celebration party hosted by the royal family for the suppression of the rebellion. "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also sent an invitation to Miss Ivril."

"A royal party?"

"Yes, this is your first time, right?"

If Ivril does not become a saint, this could be the first and last party.

Of course, even if she does not become a saint, she will quickly rise to the top if she remains active as a priest.

I'm sure there will be no problem with the bishop.

However, bishops and saints are of different levels.

Now that she is close to being a saint, she is given special treatment by the crown prince personally sending her an invitation, but if she slips from being a saint, it would be difficult to receive such treatment.

So, even though I don't know the results, I plan to make it so that she can enjoy it with peace of mind after successfully completing all the competitions.

"Is it possible that the lord will escort you?"

She asked with blushing cheeks.

I responded as if it was obvious.

"As a sponsor, it is natural for me to be an escort. Of course, I have to escort Arsia, her fiancee, so I will be the flower in her hands."

Everil expressed her expectations with an expression that said that was enough.

I know how she feels about me and reacts this way.

But I cannot respond to her feelings.

I am a man who is over 40 years old, including my past life.

It's bound to be difficult to have special feelings for a 15-year-old.

'It's clanking, clanking.'

She seemed to have become more comfortable with me as we experienced various events together, and she continued to chatter about the behind-the-scenes stories that took place during the competition.

'Evelyn Francis, who I thought was difficult, often approaches me pretending to be a friend and seeks out my information.'

'The incident where Princess Xia Lin of the East beat up a group of thugs with her bare hands.'

'Even the incident where I received a kiss on the cheek from Grace High Elven, a high elf.'

I smiled and listened to her story.

However, I did not forget to point out one thing... … .

That was information about Grace High Elven, which is not widely known.

"I guess Miss Grace liked it. Do you know that all of her lovers are of the same sex?"

"yes?"

"Just be careful."

Ivril froze in place out of shock, but the friendly atmosphere remained.

How much did we talk like that?

"My lord. "A guest has arrived."

I had an unexpected guest.

"Who are you?"

"This is Princess Diana Anne Reinharts."

"Your Highness the princess?"

He was such an unexpected person that I couldn't help but wonder.

There was no contact between me and Princess Diana.